30 minutes with… Tychicus
If you could spend 30 minutes talking to a bible character, who would you spend it with? Over the coming months a few people from Cornerstone will be sharing their answer. First up is Jonas, who has just started his second year as a Cornerstone Ministry Trainee.
If I could spend 30 minutes talking to a bible character I'd spend it with...Tychicus.
If you are reading this and have no idea who Tychicus is – don’t worry. He didn’t write a book of the Bible or even appear significantly in any of them either. He’s mentioned only in five places in the New Testament – and always just in passing. Perhaps you can be forgiven for not knowing about him.
But even in those passing comments, there’s enough subtly revealed about Tychicus to make me hungry to find out more.
Tychicus was a travelling companion of the apostle Paul. We know from Acts 20:4 that Tychicus went with Paul from Macedonia to Jerusalem, where Paul was then arrested. From other references to Tychicus, we know he must have continued with Paul, in his imprisonment, all the way even to Rome. Tychicus clearly loved Paul very much and devoted himself to serving his needs.
It’s no wonder then that he’s described by Paul as a dear brother, a faithful minister and a fellow servant (Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7). Paul evidently thought very highly of Tychicus as well and saw him as both capable and useful in ministry.
If I could sum up what we know of Tychicus in one word, I would say he was a substitute. Not a substitute inferior to the real deal though, but someone capable and willing to step in wherever and whenever need arose. The first to volunteer no matter the sacrifices involved. For the sake of others.
As a prisoner, Paul couldn’t visit the churches of Ephesus or Colossae, so instead he sent Tychicus to tell those churches how he was and about what he was doing (Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7).
When Paul wanted Titus to visit him from Crete, who did he think suitable enough to look after the churches there in Titus’ absence? Tychicus (Titus 3:12).
When Paul, a prisoner again in Rome, wanted Timothy, the minister of the Church of Ephesus to come to him; who again does he send to take on that responsibility over the Ephesian church? Tychicus (2 Timothy 4:12).
Tychicus saw Paul arrested for his faith and ministry and yet stood at his side through thick and thin, even whilst others deserted. He travelled with Paul as far as Rome, then was willing to be sent all over Asia – despite the dangers of long-distance travel at that time – for the cause of the gospel and to strengthen God’s churches.
Tychicus was a man whose humble and self-sacrificial character far exceeds the proportion of references to him in the Bible. He was a man clearly capable in ministry – substituting even for Titus and Timothy. Yet the little we read of him probably shows us that he did not seek praise, applause, reputation or status for himself.
I am certain that I could learn a lot from both his life and his ministry. He must also have many great stories to tell!